Gulfstream-Schweizer G-164B accident near Genesee, Idaho, March 22, 2008
On March 22, 2008 at about 4:30 pm local time, a Gulfstream-Schweizer G-164B, registered N8148K, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Genesee, Idaho (Heimgartner Airstrip airport). It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The in-flight failure of the rudder attachment point due to severe corrosion, which made directional control of the airplane not possible during landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 22, 2008 · about 4:30 pm local time
- Place
- Genesee, Idaho · Heimgartner Airstrip · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Gulfstream-Schweizer G-164B
- Registration
- N8148K · registry record · serial 586B
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
"THIS CASE WAS MODIFIED MARCH 25, 2009." The airplane was departing on an aerial application sortie when the lower portion of the rudder separated and yaw control was lost. The pilot flew the airplane for approximately 1/2 hour to learn its flight characteristics at low airspeeds and low power settings. During the landing, the airplane turned sideways, nosed over, and came to rest inverted. Examination of the rudder revealed that the lower rudder attachment point had failed. The separation surfaces displayed evidence of severe corrosion. The airplane had an annual inspection on March 17, 2008, and had flown 1/2 hour since the inspection. The area where the corrosion was found and the failure occurred did not require inspection.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Aircraft structural failure during initial climb defining event
- Loss of control on ground during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Nose over/nose down during landing (flare/touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Flight control system › Rudder control system › Fatigue/wear/corrosion
- factor Personnel issues › Task performance › Inspection › Scheduled/routine inspection › Maintenance personnel
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Flight control system › Rudder control system › Failure
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Attain/maintain not possible
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 15,307 hours in all; 738 in this make and model
- Last flight review: April 1, 2007
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 10,127 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 1, 2008; 0.5 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 5,000 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Walter M601E-11 (turboprop); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PRIV Genesee ID at 4:00 pm
- Destination: PRIV
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 27, 1,400 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 070° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 39°F (4°C), dew point 27°F (-3°C)
- Altimeter: 30.59 inHg
- Observation at 4:56 pm from LWS, 15 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.